Quacking Up To Be A Good Time: Hackberry Duck Off helps schools defray expenses

Published 8:41 am Thursday, February 26, 2026

The 28th annual Hackberry Duck Off will take place Saturday at the New Hackberry Community Center at 980 Main St.

Doors will open at 10 a.m. There is no cost at the door. It is a nonprofit event that benefits Hackberry High School and began in 1998 when three brothers, Kirk, Bobby and Guy Stansel, wanted to start a fundraiser for the school golf team. Today, the money goes beyond the golf team and helps with all students, athletes and teachers.

This year’s edition is the first without the Stansel brothers heading up the event, instead, turning it over to Bryce Carpenter, board president.

“Coming out to the Duck Off is a great opportunity to support elementary, middle and high school kids that play sports or try to excel in their academics and this is a way for the community to help out the youth,” Carpenter said.

While the brothers have stepped away, they remain involved in supporting the Hackberry youth. Youth and adults can participate in quarter bingo, washer tournament, cornhole, skeet shoot and a cake walk.

Paulette Campbell is the organization’s secretary and serves as principal at Hackberry High. Campbell said the money raised helps pay for the end-of-the-year awards ceremony, positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports Awards every nine weeks, students who are taking dual-enrollment courses, uniforms for athletes and travel and if teachers need something in their classroom. A scholarship is also awarded to graduating seniors every year. Campbell said all faculty, coaches and administration help out each year to make it a success. Hackberry Future Farmers of America and student council also work all day and will be helped by the organization for upcoming trips and events.

“All of our coaches work all day on Friday and Saturday and their teams do as well,” Campbell said.

There will be plenty of food options with jambalaya, brisket, pork loin, walking tacos and a bake sale. A silent auction also takes place all day until 5:30 p.m. A live auction will begin at 6 p.m. Guests are welcome to bring lawn chairs to sit outside and watch the competitions.

There will also be a competition that is free to enter. In order to participate in the cook off you must use six ducks or the equivalent to six ducks in deboned meat and check in by 4 p.m. or you will be turned away. Participants in the can cook any recipe they like, and while all are invited to cook on site, cooks must be self-contained and use their own equipment. Cash prizes will be awarded to first-, second- and third-place winners.

New this year is the After Party live band with Greg Blanchard at 7:30 p.m. Ages 10 and younger are admitted free. Wristbands for the show will be sold during the day for $20 until sold out.

“We wanted to bring something different and more for the community to enjoy,” Carpenter said.

Also back is an old favorite, the Duck Drop. Campbell said it used to be a kids favorite to watch.

“You have a board, like a Super Bowl square board, and you can buy a square and the duck poops on a square and whoever has that square wins the board,” Campbell said laughing.

Campbell said it is heartwarming to see members of the community and people from outside of the community come out each year and support the youth in Hackberry.

“If you’ve never been to a small community event like this, it’s great because the whole community is there,” Campbell said. “At some point during the day everyone in the community comes in and out, and it’s great to see that not only do they come to these events to participate in the activities, but they know that the money goes towards our kids and our youth and they’re there supporting them.”